How to Comply

The Ordinance requires buildings to achieve certain efficiency targets or perform audits and retro-commissioning on a 5 year cycle determined by the property's Building ID.

In order to comply, building owners and managers have several options for either demonstrating that the building has reduced energy and water usage, or is on a pathway to efficiency.

Energy

  • Undergo an Energy Audit and Retro-commissioning of Base Building Systems:  
    • Energy Auditing. Energy audits required by this division shall meet or exceed Level II audit standards in conformance with the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits (latest edition at the time the audit is initiated) and shall be performed under the direct supervision of a California licensed engineer or architect.
    •  Energy Retro-Commissioning. Energy retro-commissioning shall be performed in accordance with industry standard practices, including ASHRAE Guideline 0.2 Commissioning Process for Existing Systems and Assemblies, and under the direct supervision of a California licensed engineer or architect.

Or meet one of the exemptions listed below:

  • Achieve ENERGY STAR Certification for the compliance year, or for two of the three years preceding compliance date
  • Document 15% reduction in energy use intensity over the prior 5 years, using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
    • See LADWP rebate information below
  • Meet one of the additional exemptions defined in Section 91.9706.1.3

Water 

  • Undergo a Water Audit and Retro-commissioning of Base Building Systems;
    • Water audits and retro-commissioning shall be performed in accordance with industry standard practices, including ASHRAE Guideline 0.2 Commissioning Process for Existing Systems and Assemblies, and under the direct supervision of a California licensed engineer or architect. 

or meet one of the exemptions listed below: 

  • Document 20% reduction in water use intensity over the prior 5 years, using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
    • See LADWP rebate information below
  • Meet one of the additional exemptions defined in Section 91.9706.2.3

LADWP Rebate Information

LADWP offers a range of incentive programs to encourage customers to save energy and water at their properties. The resources below summarize the incentives that are relevant for existing buildings to comply with the City of Los Angeles EBEWE Ordinance. 

Need help navigating rebates? We have created a set of intelligent tools to help customers determine which energy and water rebates customers may qualify for and connect customers with support to help projects move forward.

  • Energy Rebate Navigator
  • Water Rebate Navigator

More information is coming soon, so please be sure to join our mailing list for updates.